The 12th-year receiver needs to turn back the clock tonight in his Cleveland Browns debut when the Browns host the St. Louis Rams in their third preseason game — the regular-season dress rehearsal when starters typically see their final exhibition action.

In some ways, Burleson is under as much pressure to step up his game as newly-anointed starting quarterback Brian Hoyer.

A strained hamstring has limited Burleson to riding an exercise bike on the practice-field sideline since Aug. 6. Burleson, who caught passes under the supervision of the team's training staff Thursday, said the plan is to start knocking off rust against the Rams.

Time to see if a sure-handed target with 457 receptions and 39 career touchdowns can help kick start an out-of-rhythm passing attack marred by inaccurate throws, dropped passes and no first-team offensive touchdown.

Burleson needs to inspire more confidence in a receiving group that has raised concern in two sloppy preseason games.

"The first impression for me is a big deal," Burleson said. "I look at that two ways: If I go out there and I'm healthy and I do well, it's going to be a great first impression for me with the fans. But if I'm 80 percent, then that might not be the best impression.

"I want to give Cleveland what they deserve, and that's Nate at 100 percent."

Cleveland added Burleson, who spent the past four seasons with Detroit, Miles Austin and Andrew Hawkins. The Browns hope to bolster a receiving group led by Josh Gordon, who led the league with 1,646 yards.

When healthy, Burleson was a viable second option to Lions superstar Calvin Johnson. The former 2003 Minnesota third-round pick is one of five receivers who has recorded at least one receiving touchdown each season from 2003-13.

But Burleson is coming off two injury-marred seasons having missed seven games in 2013 with a fractured forearm that required a second offseason surgery.

"I want to play because that's what I get paid to do," said Burleson, who signed a one-year, $1 million deal. "They brought me here for a reason, and that's to add a spark plug to this offense and make plays when the ball is thrown to me. And then after that, I'm new here. So no new guy wants to be on the sideline. And I know that firsthand."

Burleson told a Lions beat reporter last week he is mulling retirement after this season. Asked if that mind-set still is the case, Burleson said: "I don't know. The plan is to go out there and be the best 33-year-old wide receiver, make plays, put up some numbers and then make the decision from there."

Burleson needs to begin proving against the Rams the Browns should remain committed to him.

"They cut the check for me to come out here and make plays and be a leader, and it's tough for me to do that on the sideline," Burleson said. "Hopefully, I can just get out on the field, give you guys a taste of what I'm about before the season starts, and then, hit the ground running for 16 games."

The crafty veteran was energized by how well he looked going against a pair of talented young cornerbacks in 2013 Pro Bowler Joe Haden and first-round rookie Justin Gilbert earlier in training camp.

"It gave me a lot of confidence," Burleson said. "So when I mentioned that (retirement), it was more about me writing the perfect ending to this movie. And that's playing a tremendous season, giving Cleveland what they've always wanted in their football team, which is a team they can be proud of and then walking off into the sunset."

Gordon in limbo awaiting NFL ruling

CLEVELAND (AP) – Josh Gordon smiled as he walked off the field on an insufferably muggy day. Nothing, it seemed, was bothering him.

He peeled off his jersey, sweat streaking his face. The star receiver soon posted a photo on Instagram of him catching a pass from rookie Johnny Manziel.

"Only place I can find peace," Gordon captioned the picture.

The football field is giving Gordon serenity. His time there be could be running out.

Gordon is still awaiting word from the NFL on whether he'll be suspended for all or part of the upcoming season. Gordon, who led the league with 1,646 yards receiving in 2013, recently had his appeal hearing to fight a possible yearlong suspension for again violating the league's substance-abuse program. He's been practicing and playing for weeks amid uncertainty about his career.

"It's definitely weighing on him," Browns coach Mike Pettine said.

Manziel fined $12,000 for middle finger flip

CLEVELAND (AP) – Johnny Manziel has been slapped on the finger.

The NFL fined the Browns rookie quarterback $12,000 on Friday for flipping his middle finger at Washington's sideline, a person familiar with the penalty told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the ruling has not been made public.

Manziel said he was reacting to incessant taunting by the Redskins during Monday's nationally televised game when he made the gesture running back to Cleveland's huddle.

"I had words exchanged with me throughout the entirety of the game, every game, week after week," Manziel said. "I should have been smarter."